Over a week ago, a majestic owl floated silently above me — a breathtaking sight that left me in awe. From that moment on, I made it my mission to capture this elusive beauty with my camera. Every evening since, I’ve been out at sunset, waiting… watching… hoping.
For the first few days, my focus was skyward. I ignored everything else, determined that the owl would reappear. But after four sunsets came and went, something shifted. I lowered my camera, took my eyes off the sky, and started to really see what was happening all around me.
I noticed the cardinals at the birdbath — how tiny drops of water cascade from their beaks as they sip and splash. I turned it into a little “capture the shot” game with my Nikon — and I got it! Then came the bunnies — yes, bunnies — locked in a territorial battle that looked more like a dance, hopping into the air until one finally gave up.
A mischievous squirrel also made an appearance, fiercely protecting his stash of peanuts from a bold cardinal thief. You’ve never seen a more determined little guardian! The titmouse bird has become a frequent visitor, and I even learned that female deer aren’t always the gentlest with their young.
And just when I thought the day couldn’t get any more magical, the evening ended with a swirl of monarch butterflies dancing through the sunset — a perfect ending to a week of rediscovery.
All these small, beautiful moments were happening right in front of me — and I would have missed them if I’d kept waiting for the owl.
Sometimes, the thing we’re searching for doesn’t appear when we expect it to. But if we take a moment to look around, to slow down and truly observe, we’ll find beauty in the unexpected.
Take time to enjoy life’s simple wonders. Don’t let one distraction keep you from seeing the magic that’s already all around you.
Mary
Wild About The Gap 
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